FCTA Trains, Empowers 1,170 Residents On Skills Acquisition

By: Salamatu Aminu & Sunday Shekwonya

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has taken a significant step in empowering its residents through skills acquisition training across the six Area Councils of the Territory.

The Administration, in collaboration with the World Bank trained and empowered 1,170 residents, providing them with essential skills to improve their livelihoods.

The programme, which is aimed at improving the standard of living, as well as the socio-economic lives of the beneficiaries, began since July, 2022; focusing basically on skill acquisition and entrepreneurial activities among others.

The Acting General Manager of Labour Intensive Public Workfare (LIPW) of the FCT Community and Social Development Project (CSDP), Samuel Onwuka, stated this during the exit training flag-off ceremony, at Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Area 10, Garki I District, Abuja.

Onwuka, who disclosed that the training and empowerment exercise is a Federal Government Scheme that began two years ago across the 36 states of the Federation and the FCT, has successfully engaged over a thousand beneficiaries as the first set in the nation’s capital.

He revealed that the Scheme is working in consonance with the ‘Renewed Hope Agenda’ of the Federal Government to lift 100 million people out of poverty; using education and gainful employment.

To this regard, the General Manager said that the Scheme is not only established by the Federal Government to train and empower the beneficiaries, but also builds capacity for the beneficiaries to become ‘Own Boss’ through entrepreneurship skills and income support.

His words: “I wish to advice the beneficiaries to fervently put into practice what they have learned or been taught for the period of two years to further build themselves as the Scheme gives them an exit training and presenting them with their certificates today.”

The General Manager, who appreciated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the FCT Minister, Barr. Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, for their support in all ramifications, pleaded with the duo to continue to sustain same support as new beneficiaries would be unveiled in few months to come.

Abuja Digest reports that the initiative is part of a broader effort to address poverty and promote economic growth in the region.

Abuja Digest further reports that the Community and Social Development Project (CSDP) is the national flagship project that provides grants for human capital development of communities and vulnerable groups to enable them embark on various development agenda; while on the same vein, LIPW provides income support to vulnerable groups.